A policeman conducts a search of a motorist while members of the Jamaica Defence Force look on last Friday in Flankers, St James.

Inspector Dian Bartley of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Corporate Communication Unit (CCU) is appealing to the public to avoid converging on the Freeport Police Station in St James, where detainees of the state of public emergency are being held.

The appeal is in response to a clash between residents and police on the compound of the police station on Sunday.

The police reported that several persons who are not relatives of detainees descended on the police station.

According to the police, some persons attempted to gain unlawful access to a section of the facility used to house the detainees.

The police say visitors became boisterous and were forced to leave the compound and as a result of the open hostility, they were forced to discontinue the visit.

However, the restriction was lifted this morning by the police as they appealed to relatives of the detainees to take at least one change of clothing to the station.

Inspector Bartley says persons who are not associated with detainees are encouraged to stay away from the police station.

She says the police want to make the visitation process is as smooth as possible for all parties involved.

Since the declaration of the state of public emergency last week Thursday, more than 197 persons have been taken into custody by the security forces.